Miami Grease Trap Compliance Checklist for Restaurants

Miami-Dade Grease Trap Sizing & Installation Requirements

Miami-Dade requires grease traps (also called grease interceptors) sized according to three times the fixture drainage rate in gallons per minute (GPM), or as determined by local plumbing code. For restaurants with high-volume fryers, griddles, or dishwashing operations, passive interceptors must be installed before wastewater enters the municipal system. All installations must be permitted by the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DRER) and comply with Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 62-604.400 standards. Undersized or improperly installed traps are among the most common violations cited during inspections.

Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Maintenance Checklist Items

Daily: Remove visible grease and solids from the trap surface and dispose of properly—never pour into the drain system. Check water temperature entering the trap (should not exceed 140°F to prevent grease from bypassing the trap). Weekly: Inspect the inlet and outlet baffles for damage or buildup; measure grease depth with a dip stick or gauge. Monthly: Have a licensed waste hauler pump and inspect the trap if grease/sludge level exceeds one-third of the tank depth. Document all maintenance activities in a log; Miami-Dade inspectors require proof of routine servicing. Establish contracts with licensed grease removal vendors and maintain copies of pump-out receipts for at least one year.

Common Miami Violations & How to Avoid Them

The most frequent violations include: grease traps pumped less frequently than required (trap contents over 25% full), use of chemical or enzyme additives that violate EPA and FDEP regulations, improper disposal of fryer oil (dumping into toilets or outdoor drains), and absence of maintenance records during inspections. Miami-Dade Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and the city health department also cite leaking traps, damaged baffles, and lack of required signage near drain access points. Prevent violations by scheduling professional pumping every 4–8 weeks, training staff on proper grease disposal, never using drain cleaners in the trap, and keeping current maintenance logs visible and organized.

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